Lake Mohawksin Trip

Friday, June 14 - Monday, June 17, 2024

We had 8 paddlers enjoy this year’s event.

Day One: 

  We arrived at Sara Park campground in Tomahawk, Wisconsin. 5 of us setup our individual campsites. Then, we walked into town for a Friday night fish fry at the local supper club. During dinner we discussed the agenda of the coming weekend, and had 2 more paddlers join us. After dinner we helped our late comers setup their tents.

Day Two: 

  It rained overnight but, we dried out quick.  We had breakfast in camp. The temperature was in the mid-70s when we set out on our first trip. A short paddle (3.5 miles RT), the Jersey Dam is less than 2 miles from our base camp. We traveled down the Wisconsin river, upon the Lake Mohawksin reservoir to the confluence and up the Tomahawk river to the dam. Along the way we talked a little about the history of the dams.  The area emerged as a logging community in the early 19th century.  And, the purpose of the dams changed over the centuries.

Returning to base camp for lunch, we were met at our take out by local resident and former PSC member George P. He welcomed us to Tomahawk, again this year, and spoke at length about some of the events in town we may enjoy.

While sharing lunch we discussed the second segment of our paddling event.  The leg involved paddling up the Wisconsin river, this time, to King’s dam (7.5 miles RT). A trip that takes us through town, past beautiful (both rustic and modern) Northern Wisconsin vacation homes. Then, finally, through the rugged, undeveloped, natural shoreline that makes the Wisconsin River.

A few of our group, very weary after our morning paddle, asked if there was a shorter paddle in which they could participate.  There was.  6 of us head out after lunch up river toward King’s dam. 1 mile up river we let off 4 paddlers at the take out and pier of the local Dairy Queen. Then, the remaining 2 of us continued to the dam.  I was surprised we made it to the dam in record time. At King’s take out, we enjoyed snacks while discussing the namesake of the dam and why he settled here.  The return trip greeted us with a lite rain.  Returning to base camp, I ensured all out of our Dairy Queen paddlers were safely back in camp. It continued to rain into evening. We sat and conversed under tarps, discussing the day’s events. We ate dinner individually.

Day Three:

  It stormed overnight.  Lots of lightning, lots of rain. The tents all held fast. The rain stopped. However, a few of our group were severely drenched, and sadly, decided it would be best to travel home.  It continued to rain all morning. So, we cancelled our planned morning 9 mile open water paddle, and waited to see if the weather would change enough to let us out on the lake. It did. Just around lunchtime the rain stopped, the sun came out. As we finished lunch we discussed where to go.  We decided to paddle a shorter distance in the original direction of our scheduled trip. We paddled an alternate (about 2 mile) trip around the point to nearby Bradley Park, a favorite hiking destination for locals and visitors alike. We took out at the boat landing and explored the park.  We paddled around the lagoon and explored a secluded cove, protected from the winds and waves of the open water area that is the main reservoir of Lake Mohawksin.

For dinner this evening, we drove into town to a local restaurant. Where we discussed our recent adventures and the procedure for breaking of camp in the am.

Day Four:

  It stayed dry throughout the night. But, new storms were rolling in as we packed up camp in the am. The storm hit as the last of us were finalizing loading up. Wind, rain, hail and lightning were severe for about 30 minutes.  We headed out as the weather calmed a bit. 

I normally invite and pay for our remaining members to have a good breakfast in town. As we traveled into town after the storm we realized the storm had knocked out power. At the restaurant, there too the power was out.  However, the restaurant was still serving customers.  Only cash, no credit cards, no soda pop.  But, anything off the grill and even coffee was still available. So, soaked and cold we enjoyed traditional breakfast and percolated coffee while we dried out. We shared what we enjoyed (or didn’t) about the weekend, as well as sharing a flashlight we used in the windowless, powerless bathrooms.

It was a great weekend. Albeit lots of rain put a damper on some events.